Graduate School USA Healthcare Emergency Management Questions.docx
Hazardous materials guide
1. Hazardous Materials Guide
for
First Responders
Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Fire Administration
2. How to Use this Guide
If you know the Chemical/Material Name:
1. Go to the Specific Material Guides
Ë locate the chemical in the alphabetical listing
2. If you are unable to locate the chemical in the Specific Material Guide:
Ë Go the Alphabetical Material Name Index
Ë locate the chemical in the alphabetical listing
Ë go to the page listed for guidance information
3. If the chemical is not found in the index, go to the HAZMAT General Response
Scheme
If you have only the UN Number for the Chemical/Material:
1. Go to the UN/NA Number Index
Ë locate the UN/NA number in the numerical listing
Ë go to the page listed for guidance information
2. If material UN number is not found in the index go to the HAZMAT General
Response Scheme
If you have only NFPA Placard Information:
1. Go to the guidance information for using the NFPA 704 Placard
If you have only DOT Placard information:
1. Go the HAZMAT General Response Scheme
WARNING!
The best time to learn how to use this book is BEFORE you need it. Train with
this book the way you would train with any new piece of equipment - in advance!
3. Hazardous
Materials
Guide
for
First
Responders
The information in this book was collected from a variety of sources which were reviewed by the Firefighters’ Safety Study Technical Commit-
tee and are believed to be accurate. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency makes no claim that these data and recommenda-
tions are either correct or sufficient and assumes no liability for any adverse consequences arising from their use.
The action recommendations in this book should be considered as suggestions only. Specific circumstances at the scene of an incident as well as
the number and training of first responders will dictate what actions are actually appropriate. Final decisions are the responsibility of the Incident
Commander.
4. Acknowledgments
This document was prepared under a Cooperative Agreement (EMW-93-K-4351) between the Federal Emergency
Management Agency/United States Fire Administration and the University of Louisville. The data was assembled and
formatted by an active Writing Committee with direction and oversight by the Firefighters’ Safety Study Project Commit-
tee. Technical content was also reviewed under a separate contract (EMW-3-4649) with Louisiana State University.
Writing Committee
George C. Rodgers, Jr., Editor Steve Burton Gary M. Hart
Medical Director Assistant Chief, Fire/EMS/Hazmat President
Kentucky Regional Poison Center Rohm and Haas Co., Louisville (Kentucky) Paragon Enterprises, Inc.
Plant Louisville (Kentucky)
Nancy J. Matyunas, Associate Editor Thomas L. Coomes, II Brad Learn
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Environmental Health Coordinator/ Medical Training Coordinator
and Toxicology HazMat Response, Ret. City of Louisville (Kentucky)
University of Louisville Louisville/Jefferson County (Kentucky) Division of Fire
Health Department
Clark Bledsoe A. J. “Bud” Fekete
Assistant Director Deputy Chief
Jefferson County (Kentucky) Louisville (Kentucky) Fire Department, Ret.
Planning and Environmental Management Coordinator of Technical Hazards, Louisville/
Jefferson County Disaster and Emergency Services
This project could not have been undertaken without the expertise of the following individuals who provided
invaluable guidance and input by serving on the Firefighters’ Safety Study Project Committee.
Steven C. Bailey (Chair) Patricia Frazier George C. Rodgers, Jr.
Assistant Chief, Ret. Tri Data Corporation Medical Director
Seattle (Washington) Fire Department Kentucky Regional Poison Center
James Brizzell Richard L. Hartnett Jerry M. Schroy, P. E., DEE
Chief, Hazardous Materials Bureau Chief, Emergency Management Division Senior Fellow
NY Office of Fire Prevention & Control Boston (Massachusetts) Fire Department Solutia Inc.
Gary E. Curmode Charles B. Henry, Jr. Alan L. Schneider
Chief Institute for Environmental Studies Chemical Engineer
Sedgwick County (Kansas) Fire Department Louisiana State University US Coast Guard
John Eversole Bradley S. Pabody
Chief, Hazardous Materials Fire Program Specialist
Chicago (Illinois) Fire Department United States Fire Administration
In addition to the project committee members listed above, the following organizations and individuals provided invalu-
able assistance in the field testing and evaluation of the Hazardous Material Guide for First Responders
National Association of State Fire Marshals
Ray E. Carnahan Michael Durst Donald Bliss
Commander, Fire Marshal’s Office State Fire Marshal State Fire Marshal
Arkansas State Police Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office New Hampshire Division of Fire Safety
6. Introduction
I. Objectives (E) An understanding of the role of the first responder
awareness individual in the employers emergency response
This book is the result of an extensive study of available plan including site security and control and the U.S.
hazardous materials response resources for first responders Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response
undertaken by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) Guidebook.
as part of the Firefighters’ Safety Study Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-
446). The study concluded that, while several excellent and (F) The ability to realize the need for additional resources,
technically accurate resources are available, none are directed and to make appropriate notifications to the communication
to the specific needs of the first responder trained at the center.
Awareness or Operational Levels of Training; the training levels
of most first responders. It is the hope and the intent of the First Responder Operations Level: First responders at the
USFA that this book will be that much needed resource. Operations Level are individuals who respond to releases or
potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial
This book provides important information for the initial response response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby
to both transportation and fixed facility incidents. It has been persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the
designed to present the first responder with a maximum amount release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion
of useful key information in a limited amount of space. As with without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to
any reference, it cannot include all information that might be contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading,
useful or discuss all situations which might occur; nor can it and prevent exposures. First responders at the Operations
replace the training and experience of individual responders. Level shall have received at least eight hours of training or
The information contained in this book has been reviewed by have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate
several sources and is as technically accurate as possible. competency in the following areas in addition to those listed
For major incidents it will be necessary to obtain more detailed for the Awareness Level and the employer shall so certify:
information from other resources as well as more advanced
expertise from those with more extensive training. (A) Knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment
techniques.
It is assumed that those using this book will have had
some training in hazardous materials response. Because (B) Know how to select and use proper personal protective
most first responders are trained at the Awareness or equipment provided to the first responder operational level.
Operational levels, this book is directed at appropriate
responses for these levels of training. These levels are defined (C) An understanding of basic hazardous materials terms.
below as published by the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA 472, 1992) and the Occupational Safety and Health (D) Know how to perform basic control, containment, and/or
Administration (OSHA 1910.120). confinement operations within the capabilities of the
resources and personal protective equipment available with
OSHA 1910.120 their unit.
First Responder At Awareness Level: First responders at (E) Know how to implement basic decontamination procedures.
the Awareness Level are individuals who are likely to witness
or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been (F) An understanding of the relevant standard operating
trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying procedures and termination procedures.
the authorities of the release. First responders at the
Awareness Level shall have sufficient training or have had II. How The Book is Organized
sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency
in the following areas: The body of this book is divided into seven sections:
• Indexes: ALPHABETICAL MATERIAL NAME INDEX followed by a UN/
(A) An understanding of what hazardous substances are, and NA NUMBER INDEX.
the risks associated with them in an incident.
• SPECIFIC MATERIAL GUIDES: specific recommendations for 430
(B) An understanding of the potential outcomes associated commonly encountered materials.
with an emergency created when hazardous substances
are present. • MATERIALS SUMMARY RESPONSE TABLE: summary information
for 1,422 less commonly encountered materials.
(C) The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous
substances in an emergency. • DOT PLACARDS - CHART 10.
(D) The ability to identify the hazardous substances, if • SILHOUETTES OF RAIL CARS, TANK TRUCKS AND CHEMICAL TANKS.
possible.
1
7. • GENERAL APPROACH TO A HAZMAT INCIDENT. found in the top center of each page. Underneath the primary
• GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS used in the book. name is the UN (United Nations) number or the NA (North
American) number. The UN number is commonly used for
The main body of the book provides information on about 1750 materials in commerce and can be found on shipping papers.
different materials. The materials included in these sections A few materials in this section do not have an assigned UN
include most of those which have been reported to have been number. This may mean either that the material is not
involved in hazardous materials incidents. Most drugs have considered a hazard, or that it is not found in transport in a
been excluded. Materials were assigned to the SPECIFIC MATERIAL sizeable amount. The shipping name of the material appears
GUIDE section or the MATERIALS SUMMARY RESPONSE TABLE based directly under the chemical name. Finally, other less commonly
upon the likelihood that they would be encountered and the used names for the material are listed.
magnitude of the hazards they represent, using a formula
designed for this project. The information in these two sections In the upper right hand corner of the page are the DOT
is intended to be used during an actual incident. placard(s)/label(s) assigned to the material when transported
within the United States. A complete list of current DOT
The GENERAL APPROACH TO A HAZMAT INCIDENT section provides placards is found in Chart 10 on page 521. For a few materials,
specific information about a number of different response no specific DOT placard designation has been made in 49CFR
scenarios. It also provides useful information and techniques and this area is left blank.
for assisting in the identification of materials. This section
should be studied as part of training for Hazmat response. It is In the upper left corner of the page is the NFPA 704 placard
not intended for use during an actual incident. providing summary information on acute health, fire and
reactivity hazards plus any special concerns such as water
Following the General Approach section is a Glossary of the reactivity which apply to the material. An explanation of the
technical terms and abbreviations used throughout the book. number designations used in the NFPA placard taken from /
While the authors have tried to use simple and straightforward NFPA 704 is found on page 550. The placard is commonly
language, some terms may not be familiar to all users. Also found on storage containers or is posted at fixed facilities.
included in this last section are several Appendices providing When posted on fixed facilities each designation represents
reference information mentioned in the text. the worst hazard in that category within the building or facility.
The placard is not found on materials in transport.
This book has been extensively indexed using all of the material
names and synonyms (other names for the same chemical) NFPA 704 designations were taken, when available, from the
found in the book. There is a separate index for UN and NA 1994 editions of NFPA 49 and NFPA 325. If the material was
numbers which are commonly found on shipping papers when not rated in these references, values were determined and
materials are in transport. While the SPECIFIC MATERIAL GUIDES assigned from published data, where available, or were based
section is arranged in alphabetical order by the most widely on reasonable estimation from data published on structurally
used name of the material, the index should be used as the similar materials, using the definitions for these designations
most rapid way of locating information about a specific from NFPA 49. If the information in the placard is from the
material. NFPA 49 or NFPA 325, the designation “NFPA” appears along
the right edge of the placard. If there is no such designation,
This book does not contain specific recommendations about the content of the NFPA 704 placard was determined by the
isolation or evacuation distances. Because this book is authors.
designed to be used in a wide range of scenarios involving
different container sizes, it was felt that the calculation of such Below the list of synonyms may appear a section printed in red
distances could be misleading and perhaps dangerous. entitled WARNING. This section is vitally important. It provides
Isolation distances are best determined by those trained above crucial information about hazards that are immediately life
the operations level, taking into account the amount of material threatening to the first responder. A WARNING indicates a
involved, the weather conditions and the specific very dangerous material because of the health risk or because
circumstances of the release. of the extreme fire, explosion or reactivity risk(s). Most materials
will not have a WARNING section. This does not mean that
III. How to Use The Specific Material Guides (Chemical they are not dangerous and cannot injure or kill, only that they
Specific) Pages are not likely to do so if they are handled properly.
The SPECIFIC MATERIAL GUIDES (RED TAB) provides detailed Below the WARNING section is a section entitled HAZARDS.
response information for 430 materials. These materials were This section describes the physical, chemical, or toxic
systematically selected based on their likelihood of being properties of the material which create risks for the first
encountered and the magnitude of the hazard they pose to responder. This section includes such things as explosion
the first responder. An example of a specific material guide hazard, flammability risk and acute health hazards. Hazards
is shown in Figure 1 on page 4. are arranged in the approximate order of their importance to
the first responder.
The most widely accepted chemical name for the material is
2
8. Next to the Hazards is a section entitled Description. This more detailed references as an indexing number. It is provided
section describes what the material looks and smells like, as another positive identifier and to allow quick reference to
along with some important information about the physical other data bases.
properties of the material, such as whether it floats or sinks
in water or whether it is heavier or lighter than air (if it is a IV. How to Use the Materials Summary Response Table
gas). The information in this section may be useful in verifying
the identity of a hazardous material and in anticipating some The MATERIALS SUMMARY RESPONSE TABLE (YELLOW TAB)
of its actions. provides summary information on 1,422 additional materials.
These materials are either less likely to be encountered by
In the middle of the page are sections entitled Awareness the first responder. This table is arranged in alphabetic order
and Operational Level Training Response and using the most common chemical name of the material. For
Operational Level Training Response. These sections list each material the UN number and DOT placard designation
the appropriate actions for the first responder trained to each are provided, if available. NFPA designations are provided for
of these two levels of expertise. Not all of the statements all materials. In the case where NFPA designations were not
listed may be appropriate for every situation, but actions should available from NFPA 49 or 325, values were assigned by the
not be more aggressive than those listed. The most important authors using NFPA 49 definitions along with available data
recommendations are given first. Remember that these are on the material or on structurally similar materials. NFPA 704
initial recommendations for the first responder. They may be designations taken from NFPA sources are shown in green
modified by the on-scene Hazmat Incident Commander. while the those assigned by the authors are in black.
Awareness Level Response actions are all defensive in
nature. Operational Level Response actions are divided into
two general situations, those involving releases of material
without an accompanying fire and those where a fire is involved,
whether or not the material itself is burning. Operational
Level Responders must remember that actions listed under
Awareness and Operational Level Response should be
completed before beginning the more definitive Operational
Level Response actions.
At the bottom of the page is a First Aid section. These
recommendations should be used in caring for victims who
are out of the Hot zone. Rescue of victims from within a Hot
zone should only be performed by trained personnel wearing
appropriate chemical resistant gear and is not generally a first
responder action.
Removal of hazardous material from the skin, eyes or clothing
of a victim (decontamination) is usually the most important
first aid action that can be initiated. It should be performed
only by appropriately trained and equipped individuals. Rapid
removal of the material may be the difference between a minor
injury and a serious injury. The details of decontamination
techniques are beyond the scope of this book. In general,
using large quantities of water to rinse off materials is almost
always the first choice for decontamination in the field.
Materials which are so toxic that first aid should not be
performed on contaminated victims because of the risk of
serious injury to the responder are clearly labeled. There are
very few antidotes for treating victims exposed to chemicals
and they are listed in this section for the benefit of hospital
personnel who may care for these victims. Other First Aid
information is also provided.
Finally, at the middle of the page below the first aid section is
a CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS SERVICE REGISTRY NUMBER
(CAS: _ _ _-_ _-_). This is a specific identifying number given
to each chemical by the Chemical Abstract Service. Mixtures
are usually not assigned CAS numbers. While not commonly
used in shipping, the CAS number may be found on containers
and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and is used by many
3
9. Figure 1.
HYDROGEN CYANIDE
4 (STABILIZED)
4 2 UN 1051
Shipping Name: Hydrogen cyanide, stabilized with less than 3 percent water
PA
Other Names: AC Hydrocyanic acid solution
NF
HCN Prussic acid
Hydrocyanic acid
WARNING! POISON! BREATHING THE VAPORS OR SKIN CONTACT CAN KILL YOU!
Firefighting gear (including SCBA) provides NO protection. If exposure occurs, remove and
isolate gear immediately and thoroughly decontaminate personnel
EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE!
Hazards: Description:
Odor is not a reliable indicator of the presence of toxic Colorless liquid that boils at 78˚ F
amounts of vapor Sweet odor like bitter almonds; many people cannot smell it
May react with itself without warning with explosive Dissolves slowly in water but is soluble in water
violence Extremely flammable
Container may BLEVE or explode when exposed to fire Vapors are slightly lighter than air but will collect and stay
Vapors may travel long distances to ignition sources and in low areas
flashback Transported in red and white candy striped containers
Vapors in confined areas (e.g., tanks, sewers, buildings) Produces large amounts of vapor
may explode when exposed to fire Freezes at 8˚ F
Vapors are slightly lighter than air but will collect and stay Operational Level Training Response:
in low areas RELEASE, NO FIRE:
Combustion products are less toxic than the material itself
Stop the release if it can be done safely from a distance
Awareness and Operational Level Training Use large amounts of water well away from the material to
Response: disperse vapors - contain runoff
DO NOT ATTEMPT RESCUE! Ventilate confined area if it can be done without placing
Stay upwind and uphill personnel at risk
Determine the extent of the problem FIRE:
BACK OFF! - Isolate a wide area around the release or If material is on fire and conditions permit, DO NOT
fire, deny entry and call for expert help EXTINGUISH; combustion products are less toxic then the
Remove all ignition sources original material. Cool exposures using unattended monitors.
For container exposed to fire evacuate the area in all Specially trained personnel operating from a safe distance
directions because of the risk of BLEVE or explosion can fight fires using alcohol resistant (AFFF) foam or dry
Evacuate the immediate area and downwind for a large chemical if available in sufficient amounts. Under favorable
release conditions, experienced crews can use coordinated fog
Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control streams to sweep the flames off the surface of the burning
agencies liquid. Do not direct straight streams into the liquid.
If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify Cool exposed containers with large quantities of water
downstream users of potentially contaminated water from unattended equipment or remove intact containers if
it can be done safely
If cooling streams are ineffective (unvented container
distorts, bulges or shows any other signs of expanding),
withdraw immediately to a secure location
First Aid:
DO NOT ATTEMPT RESCUE!
The contaminated victim poses a health risk to the responder
Decontaminate the victim from a safe distance with a stream of water; have the victim remove clothing if possible; provide
Basic Life Support/CPR as needed
Decontaminate the victim as follows:
Inhalation - remove the victim to fresh air and give oxygen if available
Skin - remove and isolate contaminated clothing (including shoes) and wash skin with soap and large volumes of water for
15 minutes
Eye - rinse eyes with large volumes of water or saline for 15 minutes
Swallowed - do not make the victim vomit
Victims should be examined by a physician as soon as possible
Toxic effects may be delayed
Do NOT perform direct mouth to mouth resuscitation; use a bag/mask apparatus
Note to physician: can produce cyanide toxicity; if symptoms indicate, initial treatment includes the cyanide antidote kit
CAS: 74-90-8
4
10. References
1. North American Emergency Response Guide, 1996 16. R.J. Lewis, SAX’s Dangerous Properties of Industrial
Edition, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, Materials, 8th Edition (1992), Van Nostrand Reinhold,
DC. New York, NY.
2. The Merck Index, 12th Edition (1996), Merck and Co., 17. R.J. Lewis, Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference, 3rd
Inc., Rahway, NJ. Edition (1993), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY.
3. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface 18. A Guide to Fire Hazard Properties of Flammable Liquids,
Transportation (1992), American Association of Gases and Volatile Solids, ANSI/NFPA 325 (1994),
Railroads, Washington, DC. National Fire Protective Association, Quincy, MA.
4. Emergency Action Guide (1995), American Association 19. Hazardous Chemicals Data, ANSI/NFPA 49 (1994),
of Railroads, Washington, DC. National Fire Protective Association, Quincy, MA.
5. Chemical Hazards Response Information System, 20. Code of Federal Regulations 49 Transportation (1996),
Hazardous Chemical Data Manual, Vol. II (1993), U.S. Office of Federal Register National Archives and Records
Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, Administration, Washington, DC.
Washington, DC.
21. Chemical/Biological Incident Handbook, (1995), The
6. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (1990), U.S. Director of Central Intelligence Committee on Terrorism/
Department of Health and Human Services, Community Counterterrorism Board.
Washington, DC.
7. L. Bretherick, Bretherick’s Handbook of Reactive
Chemical Hazards, 4th Edition (1990), Butterworth-
Heinemann, Ltd., Boston, MA.
8. Tomes Plus (1995), Micromedex, Denver, CO.
9. CAMEO (1990), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Safety Council, Washington, DC.
10. Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials; 10th
Edition (1991), National Fire Protection Association,
Quincy, MA.
11. Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents, ANSI/
NFPA 473 (1992), National Fire Protective Association,
Quincy, MA.
12. Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents, ANSI/
NFPA 472 (1992), National Fire Protective Association,
Quincy, MA.
13. Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials, ANSI/
NFPA 704 (1990), National Fire Protective Association,
Quincy, MA.
14. Field Guide to Tank Care Identification (1992),
Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C.
15. Hazardous Materials Response Handbook, 2nd Edition
(1993), National Fire Protective Association, Quincy,
MA.
5
11. Alphabetical Material Name Index
A J S
B K T
C L U
D M V
E N W
F O X
G P Y
H Q Z
I R
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